Wednesday, August 19, 2009

trendspotting in europe

Back when I was young, and the earth was still cooling, that arabic-scarf-thingie-avec-little-dangly-bits was a cool look that was being sported worn around the necks of mainly rock stars. Like Bono. In my teenaged lack of political savvy, even I recognized that arabic looking scarf thingie as the same dishrag that Yassir Arafat wore on his head. The internets tell me it is called a Keffiyeh.

Wikipedia gives an extensive history of this little scrap of cloth and its political symbolism. Yes, children, if Yassir Arafat is wearing something, you better believe it is probably a political symbol. Lucky for Bono, only the Keffiyeh was taken on as a trendy fashion item, and not Arafat's ugly green military uniform. 'Cos otherwise, I might have had to re-think my crush.

I myself never owned or wore a Keffiyeh. At the time, I was all anti-establishment (what teenager isn't?) and the wearing of garb that was representative of The Uprising Of The People would totally have suited me. Alas, there were no Keffiyeh to be had in Deepest Darkest Fashion Purgatory where I lived.

I spent a few weeks in the UK recently. What fun that was, being in the place that pretty much was central to my fashion senses when I was a youth. And what to my aged eyes did appear but Every Other Person On the Ever Loving Street wearing a Keffiyeh, or Keffiyeh-looking scarf.

Especially in London.

Look - even David, his Beckhamness is wearing one...

and also, Colin Farrell.

And of course, Sting. I think he just dragged it out of his closet from way back when, the hoarder.

Now, I do not feel I am qualified to discuss the history of politics and fashion and how they collide, and my brief googling has found that there is plenty of work already done on this subject.

I do, however, feel qualified to say HOLY SHIT THE 80's REALLY ARE BACK AGAIN.

Fuck.

Because, I am not kidding when I say Every Other Person on the street was wearing one of these things. Knock-off shops had knock-offs of them. Street vendors were selling them.

So, kids, if you really want to look just like those trendy bitches in Europe, I suggest you go out and get one now - right now apparently, it's the trendo-accessory du jour.

You've heard the update on Sting's claim of 7-hour Tantric lovemaking sessions, which he uttered about 20 years ago? He was famous for this claim, and was questioned about it more recently. He laughed and said something along the lines of, "7 hours? That includes dinner and a movie, and three hours of begging."

You never heard that about Sting? It's one of the things that made me go, yew! about him. Seven hours? I dunno about y'all, but I got other things on the burner. Like the dishes. OPI's new nail colors for fall. It was all just a wee bit too "yoga dude" por Moi.